Carolina Herrera, Lucy Liu, and More Celebrate Plates for Pediatrics

“You lead by example—not by telling [kids] what to do, but inspiring them by walking the walk yourself,” said Drew Barrymore, honorary cochair at last night’s sixth annual Plates for Pediatrics Gala, which raised more than $1.2 million. “Now that I have kids, it’s more important to me than ever because I want them to see that taking care of kids is so important. You can say it until you’re blue in the face, but I think doing it will grab their attention even more.”

Grab the attention of the room she did—in a custom Carolina Herrera polka-dot mac and matching shift. “She looks great! Drew Barrymore looks great!” marveled Mrs. Herrera, joined by daughter Patricia, looking on as Barrymore stood—satin CH for Carolina Herrera minaudière in hand—and posed, one ankle crossed over the other, for photographers on the 36th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. “We outgrew the rooftop at the St. Regis!” said pediatrician in chief Dr. Gerald M. Loughlin. “Which is a good problem to have!” The support from the community has also continued to grow (and grow and grow). “A lot of the parents here have had kids in the hospital, and then they come back and actually become part of our whole operation,” Loughlin said. “They help ease the stress of being in the hospital for other parents. They know what it’s like; they’ve been through it.”

Echoing a similar chord, Barrymore struck a parenting note that hit home: “You can do it all, but you can’t do it all at the same time,” she said. “I feel like that empowers, but it’s realistic. And it never feels not messy.” Mother (Barrymore) knows best!